Evaluation of Macular Perfusion in Healthy Smokers by Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the macular perfusion changes in healthy smokers by using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: OCTA measurements were taken for the right eyes of 40 smokers (Group 1) and age- and sex-matched control cases (Group 2). Group 1 underwent OCTA scanning with the XR Avanti AngioVue OCTA (Optovue, Fremont, CA) at baseline and at 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes after one standard cigarette smoking. The same scanning protocol was applied without smoking in Group 2. Macular vessel area density, flow index of the choriocapillaris, foveal avascular zone (FAZ), and central macular thickness were evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 28 men and 12 women with a mean age of 41.2 years ± 9.1 years (range: 24 years to 63 years). The mean age of Group 2 was 42.6 years ± 8.4 years (range: 21 years to 65 years), which consisted of 28 men and 12 women. The mean baseline vessel area density, flow index of the choriocapillaris, FAZ, and central macular thickness showed no statistically significant differences between Groups 1 and 2. Although the flow index of choriocapillaris values were similar at the repetitive OCTA measurements in the control group ( P > .05), it was decreased from 1.94 ± 0.06 to 1.89 ± 0.08, 1.90 ± 0.08, and 1.91 ± 0.07 at 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes following smoking, respectively, in Group 1 ( P < .001). CONCLUSION: Smoking causes a significant decrease in the blood flow index of the choriocapillary area by the acute effects of nicotine and other chemical substances in cigarettes on peripheral vascular structure, as evaluated by OCTA. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina . 2017;48:617–622.]